Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

May 19, 2008

Chairman
Eric Collins called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM with
members Linda Collins, Mary Mankin, Robert St. Pierre and Norris
Tillotson present. Also present were Laura Ovitt, Joan Cheeseman,
Connie Burns, Marion Paul, Tim Green, Paulette Legault, Maurice Hall
and Marianne Hall.

Joan Cheeseman asked the board if they wanted
to consider changing from a zoning board of adjustment to a development
review board. She distributed information explaining the differences
between the two boards. She said if a DRB is wanted, the language
should be included in the new bylaws currently being developed. Zoning
Administrator Tim Green commented that the ZBA and Planning Commission
are working well as they are. Joan explained that meetings held by the
ZBA thus far have been to choose officers, to conduct a training with
the regional planning commission, and to adopt procedures for their
meetings. She said minutes will be kept by the Town Clerk for permanent
record. Joan discussed how zoning violations are being handled. Eric
Collins said that violations will need to come to the Selectboard if
they cannot be resolved otherwise. Joan said she had filed a complaint
over a year ago that has not yet been resolved.

Motion made by
Linda Collins, seconded by Robert St. Pierre, to approve the minutes of
the May 5 regular meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

Robert St. Pierre reported that he is checking on leasing an excavator when needed, and having John Nutting operate it.
He reported that work will begin soon to fill in the flume under Main Street.
Linda
Collins stated that the sidewalk in front of the historical society
building is blocked off, and that they need to know whether they can
open this summer.

Norris Tillotson reported that he has not yet
obtained information about Dennis Kent’s hours, and that Dennis will
remain at the current rate of pay until more information is received.

Linda Collins reported that the library chimney needs to be replaced.
She said she has contacted Joe Broe about repairing the post office steps.
She will try to get an estimate for repair of the town hall pillars this week.
The board discussed requesting bids for the heating and vehicle fuel.
Norris Tillotson will check on the capacity of the fire department generator.
Linda reported the ambulance personnel are using town equipment to clean in the emergency services building.
Linda reported the tree on the left on the library front yard needs to be removed. Town personnel will remove it.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2008
Page 2

The
board discussed whether an ordinance can be adopted that would require
young people to be off the streets at a certain time. Eric Collins said
that is possible. The board will inquire whether the Border Patrol will
enforce the ordinance.

Robert St. Pierre reported the Missisquoi
River Basin Assoc. will be cleaning river banks between Davis Park and
Magoon Road. The highway crew will pick up whatever debris they collect.
Robert reported he has met with Evan Mercy about installing the generator at the high school.
Robert reported the Legion parade will be on Sunday, 5/25, with Bernie Sanders as guest speaker.
The highway department is continuing to sweep streets.
Robert said he has driven the town roads and all seem to be in good condition.
Robert said that Steve Combs will be out from 6 weeks to 3 months for a knee replacement.
Robert
said Melissa Wells wants the sidewalk in front of her house removed.
Norris Tillotson said the town does not own the sidewalk.

Norris
Tillotson reported a request for a community garden at the playground.
The board agreed by consensus to approve the garden.

Eric
Collins read a letter from Gary Snider regarding setting up a system
for accepting debit/credit cards for payment of municipal bills. The
system will incur some start up and annual costs. Laura was asked to
inquire whether Gary can cover the costs through his budget.

Linda Collins inquired about progress on clean-up of the Chris Pattullo property. Tim Green said progress is being made.

Mary
Mankin presented a draft restructure of the water and sewer rates for
discussion. Mary recommended setting a percentage of fixed costs to
cover the base rates. She recommended setting the rate at 100% to cover
interest, bond payment, short-term debt repayment, a capital
improvement fund, salaries and employee benefits. Variable expenses
would be everything else.

Mary said the board needed to
determine the time frame for the restructure to take effect. The board
tentatively agreed the new rate would go into effect in October 2008,
to be billed in April 2009.

The board discussed whether churches
should be billed as commercial or residential, and agreed they should
be billed as commercial.

The board discussed how many equivalent
units are being billed. Mary said there are 676 residential units, 57
commercial units and 3 industrial units. The rate will depend on the
multiplier used. Using 1, 2, and 2.5 respectfully would result in 797.5
equivalent units. The

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2008
Page 3

suggested
6-month base rate using this multiplier would be $200, $401, and $501
respectfully, and $8.60 per 1000-gallons of water used.

The
board discussed how much to put into the capital improvement fund and
to pay on the short-term debt. The suggested rate is $5,000 per
department for capital improvement, and $25,000 for the water debt and
$15,000 for the short-term sewer debt.

The board discussed those
properties on private water lines. They considered whether the town
should take over the lines, or recalculate the equivalent rate.

The
board considered the impact of changing the multiplier to 1, 1.5 and 2
respectively. The base rate using this multiplier would be $208.51,
$312.77, and $417.03 respectively.

The board agreed to convene a special meeting on Friday, May 23 at 4:00 PM to discuss water and sewer.

Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Linda Collins, to adjourn at 10:38 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant